Mail-bag.



N. C.' NEWER?.

MAIL BAG.

APPLIDATION FILED H539, 1911.

1,060,697. Patented May 6, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEETI.

G. NEWER?.

MAIL BAG.

APPLIUATION FILED $213.9, 1911.

Patented May 6, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Witnesses.

@Anw 07.2,

N. C. NEWER?.

MAIL BAG.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.9, 1911. 1,060,697. Patented May 6, 1913.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Witnesses. i y ff 73. AWM Wwf@ Wwv% By mame?.

inventor.

a citizen of the United States,

` UNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEEicE.

NICHOLAS C. NEWERCF, 0F BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

MAIL-BAG.

T 0 all lwhom. z'tma'z/ concern Be it known that l, NICHOLAS C. NEwERF, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and usefulY Improvements in Mail-Bags,- of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bags, and primarily to bags utilized for transporting mail or other articles.

One of the features of the invention has reference to a supporting wheel or supporting wheels for the bag, mounted at the lower end thereof, and adjustable so that they can be moved within the interior of the bag when not in use. l

Another feature has reference tothe collapsible or folding construction of the bag.

The invention also refers to certain details of construction which will be hereinafter described and. claimed. reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred adaptation of the improved bag is shown.

Figure l is a side elevation of the improved mail bag. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper portion of the frame, with a section through the top or ridge bar of said frame. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section through the lower portion of the bag and one of the -supporting wheels thereof. Fig. 4 is an enlarged interior view of a fragment of the bag. showing the spring locking device for locking the bag either in its folded or its open position. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on line a a, Fig. 4, showing also a plan view of the spring locking device. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the frame and one of the supporting wheels, with said frame open, and the supporting wheel in its depending supporting position, the bag covering being omitted. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the frame and one of the supporting wheels, with the frame in folded or collapsed position and the 'supporting wheel moved within the pocket, the bag covering being omitted. Fig. 8 is an enlarged section showing the inannerof detachably fastening the top cover of the bag in place. Fig. 9 is an enlarged horizontal section cn line b nFig. l, showing the construction of the base of the frame, and also a partial section through one of the supporting wheels. and also showing a supporting leg in its folded non-supporting position.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led February 9, 1911.

plan view of the base Patented May 6, 1913. seriai No. 607,576:

another structural form of base, and embodying therein one wheel and two side legs.

In referring to the drawings in detail, like numerals designate like ferred adaptation illustrated.

This improved device consists of a frame, a bag-like covering of flexible material tted around and inclosing like covering being opening, and a support-ing wheel adapted to be arranged below the bag when in operating position, and to be moved up through the bottom opening and concealed within the interior of the flexible covering when it is desired to render the bag more compact.

The frame of this improved bag is of a skeleton form, and is preferably constructed of suitable members or strips of spring metal. In arrangement, the frame includes a plurality of vertical side members, a bottom or base member having a loop `or loops, and diagonally extending connecting bars, a plurality of intermediate loop-like memcentral supporting' parts, in the prey said frame, said bagprovided with a bottom` bers connecting the vertical members at intervals, and a plurality of top members.

The vertical side members l are preferably four in number and extend within the flexible bag 2. These vertical side members l are arranged in opposed pairs, being pivoted at' their lower ends to the outer loop 3 of the base or bottom member, so that they have a movement toward or from each other in the manner shown in Figs. 6 and 7 The vertical side members l are supported above the base by means of loop members, which are similar in size to the outer loop of the base member and extend horizontally between and connect-at their corners to the vertical side members.

Three ofthe loop members are preferably employed, being located at approximately equal intervals above the base member. These loop members will be hereinafter designated as the top loop member, the in` termedia-te loop member andthe lower loop member respectively.

The lower loop member is constructed of two opposed side portions 4 and 5, having bent ends 6 which extend at approximately right angles, and are provided with outwardly extending projections or pins 7. The'opposed bent ends (l are each connected by means of toggle links, two pairs of links being utilized, one of which is arranged on each side. The links-8 and 9 of.each pair are pivotally connected together at their inner ends by means of a pin 10, and are provided with longitudinal slots 11 in their outer ends through which the pins 6 extend,

' the pins 14 are fitted. The upper loop member also consists of two opposed end portions 19, having inwardly bent ends 2O provided with outwardly extending pins 22,l

and toggle links 22 which are pivoted together at their inner ends by a pivot pin 23 and are pivotally connected attheir outer ends to the bent ends of the end portions by the pivot pins 21.

It will be noted by referring to Figs. 7 and 8 that the longitudinal slots in the toggle links of the intermediate loop member are made considerably shorter than the longitudinal slots in the outer ends of the toggle links of the lower loop member, for the purpose of providing a greater range of adjustment for the parts o the lower loop member. The three loop members are connected to each other by means of two vertical bars 24. These bars are arranged on opposite sides of the frame, and the pivot pins 10, 17 and 23 are fastened thereto at proper intervals, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

A top, cross or ridge bar 25 extends horizontally between and connects the upper ends of the vertical bars 24. Toggle links extend oppositely from the ridge bar 25, and

are adapted to be arranged to extend diagonally when the frame is in its open position, as shown in Fig. 6, and to be folded together when the frame is in its folded position, as shown in Fig. 7. lThese top toggle links, in fact, constitute the supporting frame'for the top covering of the bag, and are preferably four in number and of similar construction. links consists of an upper portion 26, which is pivoted at its upper end to the ridge bar, and is provided with a laterally extending pin 27 at its lower end, and a lower portion 28 which is provided with a longitudinal slot 29 in its upper end through which-the pin 27 is fitted. The lower end of the lower portion 28 is provided with an angularly extending side portion 30 which is pivoted at its lower end to one of the bent ends'` 20 of the top loopV member, as shown in Fig. 6, b v a pivot pin 31.

In folding or collapsing the frame, the

vertical bars 24 are moved downward and Each of .the togglev carr with them the connected inner ends of t e toggle links of the three loop members and also the ridge bar. This causes the toggle links to turn from the longitudinally alined position shown in Fig. 6, to the angular position shown in Fig. 7, and moves the end portions of each loop member toward each other and also swings the vertical side frame members toward each other. The downward movement of t-he ridge bar also causes the top toggle links to fold upon each other in the manner shown in- Fig. 7. The loop members are each fastened to the vertical side members of the frame by rivets or other suitable fastenings 32. The base or bot-tom member of the frame as preferably constructed, consists of the outer loop member 3, previously described, an inner loop member 33, which is suiiiciently smaller than theouter loop member to leave an intervening space between the two members, and diagonally extending bars 34 which extend between and connect the outer loop to the inner loop of the base member.

The top mouth of the bag is adapted to be closed or covered to protectits contents by a cover 35 of iiexible material, `which is extended over t-he ridge bar and the diag onally extending pivotal top bars, and is detachably buttoned at-its edge tothe frame so that it may be conveniently disconnected therefrom and lifted when desired ito ermit access to the interior of the bag.t pair of sli htly separated parallel bars 36 extends ransversely and centrally between the sides of the outer loop of the base Amember and pass through and separate the inner loop of said member into two portions, as shown 1n Fig. 9. The diagonally extending bars 34, extend from about the center of the bars 36 to the corners of the outer loop of the base member. A space 37, between the bars 36, forms a narrow pocket in which a pivotally mounted central supporting leg 38 is adapted to be folded when not in use, as shown in Fig. 9. The leg 38 is pivoted at one end between the bars 35 by a pin 39,

and said pin is tensioned in itsv position byy a spring 40. The leg 38 is provided with an enlarged lower end or foot 41, see Fig. 1, which is adapted to rest upon the ground when the leg is in its depending separating position. The leg 38 also has an intermediate lateral enlargement 42 against which the toe of the operator is adapted to be pressed in turning the leg on .its pivot.

ln the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 9, two supporting wheels are employed, being located on opposite sides of the central pocket 37 in which the center supporting legis pivoted. These wheels are located in the spaces or pockets between the outer and inner loops of the base member. As the wheels are identical in construction, it is thought that the description of one will iio sutiice for both. The preferable form of wheel' illustrated consists of a rim 43, a' resilient tire 44 of rubber or similar material fitted on said rim, a central hub 45, and a series of spokes 46 extending from the hub and connecting said hub to the rim. Each wheel is preferably mounted 0n anti-friction ball bearings rotatably mounted on a stationary spindle 47. T he wheel is supported by a wheel supporting frame which consists of two vertical depending bars 48 between the lower ends of which the spindle 47 extends, a top transverse cross or bridge bar 49 which extends between and connects.

the upper ends of the vertical bars, and two angular brace bars 50 and 51 which depend from intermediate points of the cross bar 49 between its ends, and diverge from each other, merging in the vertical bars .48 at points located below the horizontal plane of the rim of the wheel. The two angular-bars 50 and 51 are tied and connected to each other by a short cross bar 52 which extends horizontally across between the said bars at a short distance below the top bar 49, as shown in Fig. 3. The wheel and its supporting frame are slidably mounted in the main frame of the bag structure so that they may be moved up within said bag structure when not-.in use. Opposed blocks 53 and 54 are arranged on the opposite surfaces of the inner and outer loops of the'base member, and these blocks are provided with opposed vertical grooves 55 and 56 which constitute slideways for the supporting frame of the wheel, substantially as shown in Figs. 3 and 9.

' The wheel and its supporting 'frame is locked in its depending supporting position by two oppositely extending spring pressed pins 57 and 58, the outer ends of which project oppositely to each other and seat in depressions in the blocks 53 and 54. The pins 57 and 58 have laterally bent inner ends 59 and 60, as shown in Fig. 9, which form a convenient grip for the operators fingers in retracting or withdrawing the pins from the depressions in the blocks t0 unlock. and release the supporting trame and permitit and the wheel to be moved upward within the structure of the bag. The pins 57 and 58 are also provided with enlargements 61 and 62 located intermediate their ends, and coil springs 63 and 64 are fitted loosely around the pins;'each of said springs bearing at its respective ends against one of the enlargements 61 and 62 and one of the angular bars 50 and 51, and thereby yieldingly pressing the pin outward, as shown in Fig. 3. Each of the wheels and its supporting frame is additionally supported against lateral movement in either direction by two pivotal bars 65 and 66, which are pivoted at their upper ends to two widely separated points on the outer loop of the base member of the frame, and are provided with longitudinaland its supporting frame to be moved up' within the interior of the bag-structure, or downward into supporting position, as desired.

The opposite ends 69 of the top cross bar 49 of the wheel supporting frame project beyond the outer surface of the vertical bars 48, and seat in top recesses in the opposed blocks 53 and 54, as shown in Fig. 3.

.A flap 70, of suitable flexible material.I is arranged in the bottom of the bag and is connected at one side 4only to said bag bottom, so that itA may be lifted to permit the passage of the supporting wheel and ,its frame wit-hin the interior of the bag, and may be utilized to close the opening through which the supporting wheel and its frame passes as they are moved out from the bag, and downward into their depending supporting position. The. position of the liap when utilized to close the opening is shown in Fig. 3.'

A handle is provided on one side of the top of the bag for enabling the operator to conveniently trundle the bag on its supporting wheels. This handle consists of a' horizontal bar 71 which is connected to, and extends between two extensions 72 of two of the vertical side members of the frame, as shown 'in 1, 6 and '7. The extensions 72 project upwardly from the upper portion of the side frame members, and curve outwardly .in the manner shown in Fig. 2.

To enable vthe operator to carry the bag a shoulder strap 73 may be attached by rings 74 to the center of the top of the bag,l as shown in Fig. 1.

Vertical strengthening and stitfening strips 75 of thin flexible steel or other suit- 'able material, may be arranged on the longitudinal sides of the frame and fastened to the base and to the loop members by rivets 76, see Figs. 2, 3, 6, 7, 9 and 10. The purpose of these strips is notl only to strengthen the frame, but also to support the liexible bag-like covering in a distended condition.

.The lock for holding the bag in either a .folded or open position is shown in Figs.

4 and 5, and consists of a metal plate 77 fastened to the inner surface of the flexible bag covering 2, and arranged sov as to straddle the bar 24, and a spring plate 78 fastened to the plate 77 and carrying a pin 79 which may seat in either of two openings 80 and 81 located inthe bar 24. Two of these locks are provided, one being located on each side of the bag. When the bag is open, the pin 79 seats in the lower opening 81 of the vertical bar 24, and when folded,

in the upper opening 80 of said bar.

v constructed, .is very similar prev-iouslv described in the .other form of the inventionillustrated,j'is sldably supported between the bars 84," and is adapted to be moved downward into supporting position, or upward within the interior of the bag, in about the same manner as the supporting wheels previously described. With thisl form, two supporting legs- 87 are utilized, eachof said legs-being .mounted at.4

one end of a supporting rodv 88 which passes through one side ofyt-hel base member. Coil! springs 89 are mounted loosely on the op"- posite ends of the bar 88 and in, contacting position with the legs 89 for-the purpose of tensioning thesame... i The operation of this improved device is as follows: When the bag -is in its sition and is stationary, it stands an is 'supported upon the ground or suitable foundation in the manner shown in Fig. 1, the supporting leg extending to lone side of the wheels and maintaining the bag,r in nearly an upright position. When 'the operator, such', for instance. as a inail-man, desires' to trundle or move it along the ground, he erasps the handle 71 and tilts the upper end of the bag back 'toward hiin sufficiently to litt the snppoi'tingieg from the ground. lle then pushes the device along the ground iu much the saine manner as a baby carriage is trundlcd. lVhen it. is desired to remove :in v ot th'.` contents of the bag. the top covering is unbuttoncd and lifted, exposing the interior ot the bag and permitting the operator tov insert his hand and remove what he wishes. To fold the bag it is necessary to first unlock thetwo vert-ical bars 24 and to then move them downward. This both collapses the top in a downward direction, and also folds the upper portion ofthe bag. The supporting wheel or wheels is moved up into the interior ot the bag'by retracting thi` springr pressed locking-pin froiuthe depressions iu the opposed blocks and slidin;r the wheel and its supporting frame or the wheels and tically upward bag.

The principal advantages of this improved device is that as the weight is not wholllir borne by thc operator, comparatively within the-interior ofthe -along the surface, 'adjustably extending from said bag structheir supporting trames ver` i Other advantages are that the supporting wheels may be moved up within the bag when-not in use, and that. the bag may be readily collapsed -or folded when it is desired.

The cover 35 for the top month of thc. bag is so arranged that when the upper portion of the bagis collapsed, the ends of the cover will extend dowiiupon the sides of the frame, and may be detachably fastened thereto to prevent fiapping.

1. In a device of the classdescrihed, a

liexible bag structure adapted to be either l an operator or trundled 'l wholly carried by anda `supporting Wheel ture and adapted to support the device in trundlingL position to be moved up within the bagstructurewhen the device, is carried by the operator.

2."In a device of the class described, a long rectangular bag structure having a handle at its 4top andan openin in its bottom and a Supporting Wheel ad]ustably dependingrom the lower end of said bag structure vand adapted to support the device through-the bottom opening within the inteiior of' the bag-when the device is carried by theoperator; 1

' 3.In `a"dev1ce of theclass described, a flexible bag, a metalsupport ing frame within said bag mounted in the metal frame.

4. In-av deviceof the class described, a tiexible bag, a metal supporting frame within the bag, a supporting Wheel having a frame slidably mounted in the metal supporting frame.

5. ln a device of the class described, a ba'g structure, a supporting wheel having a frame slidably mounted in the bag structure, spring pressed pins for locking the frame, and means for locking the frame of said supporting wheel in its depending supportingr position.

6. In a device of the class described. a long rectangular flexible bag having a hottom opening and a top mouth and a metal supporting frame within. the bag having a longitudinal slidewa)Y above the bottoni opening of said bag and a supporting wheel having a' frame slidably mounted in said slideway; said wheel being adapted to pass through the bottom opening in the bag in moving from one position to another.

7.1m a device of the class described. a metal frame. a bag-like covering of exible in 'trun'dlingposition and to bemoved up material around said frame, and a supportin'g wheel adjustahlj.v mounted in said traine. S. ln a device of the class described. a main iiietal frame, a bag-like covering ot and a supporting wheel slidably 4 i'it flexible material around said main frame and a supporting ivheel having a wheel supporting frame adjustably mounted in said main frame. Y

9. In a device of the class described, a main metal frame, a bag-like covering of flexible material around said main frame, having a bottom opening and a ivheel supporting frame carrying a wheel; said wheel supporting fra-me being adjustably mounted in said lnain metal frame and being adapted to be moved upward through the bottom opening to within the bag structure when not in use.

10. In a device of the class described, a main frame, a bag-like covering for said main frame, a Wheel supporting frame adljustably mounted in said main frame and carrying a supporting Wheel, and oppositely extending spring pressed pins for locking the wheel frame in its depending supporting position in the main frame.

11. In a device of the class described, a main metal frame having opposed vertical grooves forming a slideway, a bag-like covering of flexible material around said main frame and a supporting wheel having a frame slidably mounted in said opposed grooves.

1Q. In a device of the class described, a main metal frame, a flexible bag around said frame and having a bottom opening and a top mouth an adjustable support-ing wheel adapted to depend from the metal frame when in operative posit-ion, an'd to be locked Within the bag when in inoperative position.

13. In a device of the class described, a bag-like structure having a bottom opening, and an adjustable leg pivoted at one end-to and adapted to depend from the bagslike structure when in operative position, and to be locked within tho bag-like structure when in an inoperative position.

14. In a device of the class described, a frame having side members and a base to fwhich the lower ends of the side members are pivoted and a flexible bag-like covering around said frame.

15. In a device of the class described, a frame including a base` side frame members pivoted to the base, and top frame members pivotally connected to the side frame members, and a flexible bag-like covering around the frame.

16. In a device of the class described, a folding frame having a base, side frame members pivoted to the base, top frame members pivotally connected to the side frame members, and an intermediate collapsible loop member connecting the side frame members, and a fiexible bag-like covering around the frame.

17. In a `device of the class described, a folding frame having a base, side fame members pivoted to the base, top frame members pivotally connected to the side frame members, and an intermediate collapsible loop member connecting the side frame members, said collapsible loop member havin toggle link portions, and a lexi ble bag-li e covering around the frame.

18. In a device of the class described, a folding frame having a base, side frame members pivoted at their lower ends to the base, and a plurality of collapsible loop members located at intervals and connected to the si'de frame members, each of said collapsible loop members having toggle link portions, and bars pivotally connected to the toggle link portions of the loop members whereby the loop members are simultaneously collapsed and expanded, and a flexible bag-like covering around the frame.

19. In a device of the class described, a frame including a base, side frame members pivoted to the base, and top frame members pivotally connected to the side frame members; said top frame members consisting of a plurality of pivotally mounted bars, and a central ridge bar connecting the pivotally mounted bars, and a collapsible bag-like covering around the frame.

20. In a device of the class described, a frame including a base, side frame members pivoted to the base and top frame members pivotally1 connected to the side frame members; said top frame members consisting of a plurality of pivotally mountedbars, and a cent-ral ridge bar connecting the pivot-ally mounted bars, a collapsible bag-like covering around the frame, and a removable top covering for the top mouth of the bag.

21. In a device of the class described, a

bag-like structure having an opening in its bottoni, a flap adapted to normally close said opening, and a depending supporting Wheel adapted to be moved up through said bottom opening within the interior of the bag when not in use.

NICHOLAS C. NEWERF. Witnesses I-I. L. C. JEKEL, CHAs. F. Jenni.. 

